bonner



U. E. BONNER.

FOLDING TOP.

APPLICATION FILED 11,111.25, 1913. RENEwx-:D ocT.4,1s1s.

1,325,187. Patent-,ea 1160.111919.

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WITNESSES IWENTOR 1 DOUGLAS E.BONNER B' Jf GJM a W lrron'um:

D. E. BONNER.

FOLDING TOP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25| i913- RENEWED OCT. 4 I9I9.

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DOUGLAS E. BONNER, or New YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING TOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

Application tiled March 25, 1913, Serial No. 756,700. Renewed October 4, 1919. Serial No. 328,60*?.y

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, DOUGLAS E. BoNNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of N ew York city, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tops, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tops, hoods or covers particularly for use on vehicles of any type, on small boats, and as awnings of any description, and relates more specifically to that type of top, hood or cover which may be raised and lowered or folded at will. The object of my improvement is to construct such tops, hoods or covers in a manner to permit the same to be raised or lowered by one perso-n with substantially no danger of cutting or chafing the covering material. My invention further contemplates the provision of a top, hood or cover which, in a simple manner, may be specially adjusted on a vehicle or other object to overcome variations in the same or to compensate for any stretching or other variation in the different members of the top. Another, object of my invention is to provide a structure in which certain of the members composing' the top, hood or cover will be compelled to fold simultaneously. My invention will be fully described hereinafter, and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved top; Fig. 2 is a similar view of another form thereof; Fig` 3 is a similar view showing the latter form of top ina partly folded condition; Figs. Li and 5 are enlarged views showing details of construction; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5.

kIn the drawings the various forms of my improved top are shown as applied to an automobile, it being understood that this is only an example of one application of my improvement. The rear portion of the top may be of any suitable construction,

and as shown, may comprise a main bow 10 and a rear bow 11 pivoted respectively at 12 and 13 to an intermediate bow 14 which latter is pivotally secured at 15 in any suitable manner to the body ofthe vehicle 16 or other object with which the top is to be combined. An articulated front or peak bow 17 is pivoted at 18 to the main bo.w l() v and comprises a front section 19 pivoted to rods 20 by means of rule or break joints 21' capable of breaking only in a downward direction. The customary covering material 22 is stretched over all of the bows and is secured tothe vehicle -body or other object in any well known and usual way. In the unfolded or raised position of the top, the front bow 17 extends in a horizontal direction over the front of the vehicle or other object and is maintained or suspended 1n this position by means of a brace 23 having its one end pivotallyV connected at 24 to the main bow 10 at a point above the pivot 18 and its other end pivotally connected at to the front section 19 of the front bow 17 at a point beyond the joint 21. In the preferred construction, the brace 2 3 is flexible and to this end may comprise a chain, a cable or it may be made of any other suitable eXible materialy and if desired may be covered with leather or any other suitable material. It is to berunderstood, however, that in some cases a rigid brace 23 may be found preferable. In order that the front'bow 17 may be properly positioned in its unfolded condition, I prefer to provide a suitable means for increasing or decreasing the length of the brace 23 so that the distance between the pivots 24: and 25 may be properly adjusted and the front bow thus properly adjusted over the vehicle or other object. In the illustration the means for accomplishing this result comprises a turn-buckle 26. which cooperates with a 'screwthreaded bolt 27 located at either end of the brace 28. It will be readily lseen that by rotating the turn-buckle 26 in one direction or the other to screw it up or down on the bolt 27 the length of the brace 23 may be either decreased or increased and the front bow 17 consequently swung up or down on the pivot 18 until it extends in the desired horizontal direction over the vehicle or other object when unfolded. The adjustment of the turn buckle 26 may be accomplished either by disconnecting the one end of the brace 17 from one of the bows and rotating said turn buckle bodily or simply by rotating a movable part of said turn buckle without disturbing its connection with one of the bows. It will also be apparent that, lif desired, ,a

turn buckle or other suitable device may be located at each end of the brace 23, thus providing for a greater range of adjustment than is possible with a single turn buckle or other device. After the length of the brace 23 has been properly adjusted, it may be found that the liront bow 17 does not fold properly against the main bow when the top is lowered or that the brace 23 when constructed et flexible materials objectionably in theOlded condition ot the top7 instead ot remaining substantially taut. 'lo overcome and remedy these objections I provide a plurality oi' pivot points, 28, Q8a and 28h onthe main bow 10 located at a distance from each other along a line representing' an arc of circle which has the pivot 25 substantially for a center, the pivot points being either sockets as shown in which case the pivot Q4; comprises a pin adapted for insertion therein or said pivot points comprising` pins in which case the pivot 2e would be in the nature of a socket adapted to receive one or the other of said pins. Thus by connecting the pivot 2l with the proper pivot points 28, 28 and 28h the inclination or angle ot the brace 28 in the unfolded or raised condition of the top is changed without changingthe distance between the pivots 24: and 25 and without disturbing` the extended position oi' the front bow 17, this being due to the Jfact that trie pivot points 28, Q8ZL and 28h, as before stated are located along a line representing an arc of a circle described substantially about the pivot 25 as a center. In other words, if, when the top is folded with the parts adjusted as in the illustration it is found that the flexible brace 28 sags, or in the case ot a rigid brace 23 that the front bow does not told closely against the .main bow, then the pivot '2i is simply disconnected from the intermediate pivot point 28a and connected with the pivot point 28 thus increasing the distance between the pivots 18 and 2l and in consequence taking up any slack in a flexible brace or permitting` the proper operation of a rigid brace to permit proper folding of the top. lt it is found that the distance between the pivots 18 and 2i is too great to permit the topcto `liold properly, then the said pivot 2a may be connected w'th the pivot point 28h to overcome thev difliculty it being understood that any number of pivot points may be provided, and further,

that the adjustment described may, in some case7 be accomplished by similarly shifting the opposite end of the brace A3. ln this latter case, the pivot points 287 Q8 and 28b would be located on the trout bow 17 along` an arc described about the pivot 2i as a center.

ln practice, in assemblii-ig` the top. considcrable dil'liculty has been experienced to properly position the pivots corresiwndinpT to the pivots 18 and 2i et the front bow and the brace relatively to each other to properly connect said front bow and brace with the main bow and secure a proper' cooperation of' these elements under all conditions. To overcome this dilllculty, l have provided a pivot plate or templet 29 on which the connection for the front bow pivot i8 and the pivot points 28, 28a and 28h are produced in accurate position relatively to each other. ln assembling the top, this plate Q9 is simply secured to the main bow 10 by means ol3 screws or other fastening devices 30 after which the front bow and brace are simply vconnected at the proper points without any experimentingbeing necessary to lirst preperly locate the points at which these connectionsshonld be made to secure the intended result-s.

ln some cases it may be of advantage to have an intermediate or auxiliary bow included in the top. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and l, such auxiliary bow 8l may be pivotcd at 32 to the rods 2O and in the extended or raised condition of the top is inclined relatively to the front or peak bow 17 as illustrated best in Figs. 2 and Ll. A link is pivotally connected at 34; with the brace Q3, and at 35 with the auxiliary bow 3l and serves to connect the said brace 23 and the bow 31 together. lt is obvious that link can be located at positions other than shown in the drawings relative to brace 23 and bow 31. In some cases it may be found advantageous to position link 33 substantially parallel to brace Q3. This link.y in addition to helping to support the auxiliary bow 3l in an inclined position when the top is raised7 also compels the said auxiliary bow 3l to swing to a folded position when the top as a whole is lowered or folded. nother object or the link 33 is to increase the leverage with which. the auxiliary bow 8l acts on the rod 2Or` and tending toy hold the said rod up when the top is in its raised position. The link 33 further provides a method of attaching the auxiliary bow 8l to the brace 28 and rod 20 whereby said anxiliary bow 81 in addition to a movement in the arc of a circley relatively to said brace Q3 can also move bodily toward and away from a s 7ra-ight line drawn through the pivots 24 and 25. ln planning tops of the present type it is of decided advantage to be able to attach bow 2l to the rod Z0 at a point which is the proper distance from the pivot 18 to best meet the conditions ot each individual instance or to position. the end of the bow 3l at an equal distance from the bows 10 and 17 when the topl is raisefh while at the same time getting the preferred angle of inclination in said bow 8l in this position of the top. This may be readily accomplished for instance by means ol the Isl) link connection between the brace 23 and bow 31. If the bow 31 and continuous brace 23 were connected by means of an ordinary pivotal connection only a movement in the arc of a circle would `be possible in bow 31 relatively to brace 23 and only .one dimension between the pivots 18 and 32 and one inclination of the bow 31 would be available in. order to secure an operative .structure. This is due to the fact that such pivoted connection must of necessity remain in a fixed position relatively to a line drawn through the pivots 24 and 25 both in the yopen and folded position of the top, as the movement of said bow 31 in such construction, with respect to said straight line, would be confined solely to a pivotal movement about a relatively xed point. This would limit the arrangement to certain conditions and would prevent the construction of a satisfactory top when the conditions to be met were different. With the link connection between the brace 23 and bow 31 these objections are obviated andthe bow 31 canmove bodily toward and away from said straight line through the pivots 24 and 25 thus making it possible to meet all requirements in every case in a satisfactory manner. In order that the said link 33 may properly connect said brace and said auxiliary bow 31 and not interfere with the adjustment of the brace 23 and the proper folding of the top, I prefer to provide the auxiliary bow 3l with a number of pivot sockets or pins 36 located along an arc having the pivot 34C as a center and adapted to permit the pivot 35 to be adjusted in much the same manner as is the pivot 24. In other words, after the pivot 24 has been properly adjusted, the pivot 35 of the link 38 is adj usted to correspond and secure the proper cooperation of the auxiliary bow 31 with the remainder of thetop. It will, of course, be understood that in'some instances the sockets or pins v36 may be located on the brace 23 in an arc described about the pivot 35 as a center. It is further to be understood that, while I have described a single brace 23 and link 33 with their 'coperating parts, the said brace 23 and link 33 and cooperating parts may be duplicated on each side of the top.

Assuming the top to be in its raised position, a-nd it is desired to lower the same, all that is necessary is to raise andy then move rearwardly the forward end of the front bow 17 which movement will break the joint 21 downwardly, the link 33 causingthe auxiliary bow 3l, if it forms part of the top, to follow and the operation bringing the parts to the position shown in Fig. 3. A continued pressure onthe said front bow 1T toward the rear will finally cause the main bow 10, rear bow 11 and intermediate bow 12 to swing rearwardly and downwardly on the pivot 15 to a completely folded condition. 'Io raise the top a pull is exerted on the front bow 17 which will bring about a reverse operation of the parts and will finally bring'the top to theV fully raised r position shown best in Figs. 1 and 2.A In

,this fully raised. position, the usual front of fiexible material the said'brace or braces will yield transversely if a pressure is exerted thereon and in consequence will not pinch, cut or chafe the covering material 22 in any position of the top. By covering such flexible braces with leather or the like the said covering material 22 is still further protected against injury from said braces.

In addition to the above 'advantage my improvement also provides for the ready and proper adjustment of the various points to secure the best results in the finished top and to compensate for any variation of the parts thereof and also makes it a simple matter to readily and properly connect the front bow and brace with the main bow without first requiring a great deal of experiment to correctly position the points of attachment of these parts. f

Various changes inl the specific forms shown and described may be made rwithin the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A folding top or the like comprising a main bow, anarticulated front bow pivotally connected with said main bow, an auxiliary bow pivotally secured to said front bow, and a flexible brace pivotally connected with said main bow and said Vfront bow, said flexible brace being further connected with said auxiliary bow so as to permit a movement of the latter relatively to the brace in the direction of the braces length. l

2.- A folding top or the like 'comprising a main bow, an articulated front bow pivotally connected with said main bow, an auxiliary bow pivotally secured to said front bow, a flexible brace connected with said main bow and said front bow for suspending the latter horizontally in its unfolded position and a link connection from said flexible brace to said auxiliary bow for suspending the latter in operative position. Y Y

3. A folding top or the like comprising a main bow, an articulated front bow pivotally connected with said vmain bow, abrace having one end connected with said front bow and its opposite end connected with said main bow, and cooperating elements on said main bow and said brace whereby the point of connection of the opposite end of said brace may be shifted lengthwise of said main bow. l

4. A folding top comprising a main bow provided with a series of apertures arranged lengthwise thereof, an articulated front bow pivotally secured to said main bow, a brace having one end connecte-d with said front bow and a pivotpin on said brace arranged to enter any of said apertures whereby the opposite end of said brace is secured to said main bow and is shiftable lengthwise thereof.

5. A folding top comprising a main bow, a front bow pivotally connected therewith, a brace pivotally connected with said main bow and said front bow and means'whereby the pivotal connection between said brace and said main bow may be adjusted substantially in an arc having` the pivot at the opposite end of said brace for a center.

6. A folding top comprising a main bow, a front bow pivotally connected therewith, a brace pivotally connected with said main bow and said front bow, means for adjusting the length of said brace and means whereby the position of a pivotal connection between said brace and one of said bows may be adjusted in an are having the pivot at the opposite end of said brace substantially as a center.

7. A folding top or the like comprising a main bow, a front bow movably connected therewith, an auxiliary bow movably connected with said front bow and a brace movably connected with said main bow and said front bow, said brace being further connected with said auxiliary bow so as to permit a movement of the latter relatively to said brace in the direction of the braces length,

8. A folding top or the like comprising a main bow, a front bow movably connected therewith, an auxiliary bow movably connected with said front bow, a brace connected with said main bow and said front bow for suspending the latter horizontally in an unfolded condition and a link connection from said brace to said auxiliary bow for suspending the latter in operative position.

9. A folding top comprising a main bow, a front bow pivotally connected therewith, an auxiliary bow pivotally connected with said front bow, a brace having its opposite ends pivotally connected respectively with said main bow and said front bow, a link pivotally connected with said brace and said auxiliary bow respectively and means whereby one of the pivots of said link may be adjusted in an arc having the other pivot substantially for a center.

10. A folding top comprising a main bow, a main front bow pivotally connected therewith, an auxiliary bow pivotally connected with said front bow, a brace having its opposite ends pivotally connected respectively with said main bow and said front bow, means for adjusting the length of said brace, means whereby the position of a pivotal connection between said brace and said main bow may be adjusted in an are having 7 the pivot at the opposite end of said brace substantially as a center, a link pivotally connected with said brace and said auxiliary bow respectively and means whereby one of the pivots of said link may be adjusted in an arc having the opposite pivot substantially for a center.

11. ln a vehicle top the combination of a main bow, a front bow connected therewith, a brace connected with said main bow and said front bow, and an auxiliary bow connected with said brace and said front bow, one of said connections permitting a relative movement of the elements which it connects toward and away from each other.

12. in a vehicle top the combination of a main bow, a front bow, two members comprising a rod and a brace each having one end pivotally connected with said main bow and the other end pivotally connected with said front bow, an auxiliary bow pivotally vconnected with one of said members and a link pivotally connected with said auxiliary bow and with the other member.

13. A folding top comprising a main bow, an articulated front bow hinged thereto, a brace pivoted to said main bow and to said front bow, an auxiliary bow hinged to said front bow and means cooperating with said auxiliary bow and said brace and permitting 10s a movement of the auxiliary bow in a direction transverse to a straight line between the brace pivots.

11i. A folding top comprising a main bow,

a front bow hinged thereto, a brace pivoted to said main bow and to said front bow,

an auxiliary bow hinged to said front bow, and means cooperating with said auxiliary bow and said brace for permitting a progressive movement of the auxiliary bow toward and away from a line passing through said brace pivots.

15. A vehicle top comprising a. main bow,

a front bow, a link pivotcd to each side of the front bow, and to the main bow, a brace pivoted to the side of the main bow above the link and to the front bow in front of the pivot thereof, an intermediate bow pivoted to the brace, and means connecting the intermediate bow and the link for moving the intermediate bow during the opening and closing of the top.

16. A vehicle top comprising a rear bow, an arm pivoted thereto,^an Outrigger bow,

a stop hinge for pivotally connecting the 12o Outrigger bow to the arm, an auxiliary bow In'testimony whereof I have hereunto set plvoted to the arm, a brace fulerumed to the my hand 111 the presence of two subscribing rear bow und to the Outrigger bow, and u. wltnesses.

pivot joint that connects the auxiliary bow Y DOUGLAS E. BONNER. to the brace, whereby a tension is exerted Witnesses: upon the stop hinge which sustains the top JOHN AQKEHLENBECK,

against collapsing, GEORGE DU BON. 

